The new plant is operated by Emerald Biogas and is an £8 million state-of-the-art AD facility based at the Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate. It will serve the region’s need to recycle food waste and create renewable energy by processing 50,000 tonnes of leftover food from businesses across the region, including Vale of Mowbray, Greencore and SK Chilled Foods.
A VIP launch event, hosted by broadcaster and writer Janet Street-Porter, attracted over 100 invited guests from local authorities and national businesses to schools and the mayors of Darlington and Great Aycliffe.
“This facility will bring a range of benefits to the north east community, including reducing the need to send food waste to landfill, and the creation of green energy and fertilizer” said Ms Street-Porter, addressing the impact of the food waste issue in her speech. “In other regions across the country, local authorities already collect food waste from residential areas, which is food for thought indeed. I am passionate about protecting our countryside and feel we should be doing even more to look after our local community, and as part of this strategy, supporting local businesses and jobs.”
The UK Waste Minister, Dan Rogerson, added that dealing with waste properly not only benefits the environment but will also help create jobs and build a stronger economy.
The project was developed by a partnership of directors from regional businesses John Warren ABP and Agricore. The launch was accompanied by a campaign for schools across the region with pupils invited to become ‘waste warriors’ and including school and site visits, educational activities and a poster competition. Funding for the facility was provided through the Rural Development Programme for England, which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union. Extra funds were secured through HSBC’s Tyne Tees Commercial Centre via a £3.6 million funding package.
Emerald Biogas was founded in 2009 by three partners with a wealth of experience in agriculture and recyclying. Around 800,000 tons of food waste goes to landfill in the North East of England each year and thus is a major concern in the region. The company already offers a food disposal service at Hamsterley.
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